Guidance

Domestic sewage: discharges to surface water and groundwater

Use this guide to understand when your waste water discharge is classed as domestic sewage.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 8 May 2018
• Last updated: 29 July 2021
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  1. 29 July 2021

     Updated bullet point on swimming pools at homes and hotels where they are provided free for residents. This is to clarify that this is classed as domestic sewage when the effluent is treated and discharged in combination with other domestic sewage effluent. (Addition of 'treated'.)

  2. 8 May 2018

     First published.

Documents

Domestic sewage: discharges to surface water and groundwater

Ref: LIT 10950

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This guide is for applicants for environmental permits and operators of septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants that meet the general binding rules.